Clinical FAQs
Preparing for Treatment
Will I be tested for smoking at anytime?
Yes, you may be tested for carbon monoxide at certain intervals during each treatment cycle. Both partners must not smoke or vape before and during treatment.
Will my BMI be checked at anytime?
Yes, we will check your BMI at regular intervals throughout each treatment cycle. NHS patients must maintain a BMI between 18.5-30 kg/m² or treatment will not proceed.
How can I contact the ACS for advice?
You can call at anytime during the department’s opening times, however there may not always be someone available to speak to you at this time, please leave a message on the voicemail and someone will return your call.
From July 7, 2025, patients undergoing treatment will be able to contact the nurses via a dedicated email, rather than voicemail. Please refer to your paperwork for the email address.
Do I need to attend the department every day for injections?
No. The daily injections are easy to administer and a nurse will teach you how to do them yourself.
Are the injections painful?
Some patients report a mild stinging sensation after injections but injections should not be painful.
Is the egg retrieval procedure painful?
Patients are given sedation by anaesthetists prior to the egg retrieval procedure and should therefore be very comfortable throughout the procedure. After egg retrieval, you may have some pain similar to period cramps and it is safe to use a hot water bottle, heat pack and analgesia. The ACS nurse will advise which analgesia is suitable for you before you go home.
Do I need to take time off work?
Most patients continue to work throughout treatment. Most appointments for scans and blood tests will be scheduled in the morning.
Egg retrieval – You will require the day of your egg retrieval off work. We will give you some sedation drugs for the procedure so you cannot drive, operate machinery or sign any legal documents for 24 hours after. However, if you feel well, you can usually go to work after this time. You will be in the department for around 2-3 hours before being discharged. You will need a responsible adult to bring you home and stay with you for 24 hours.
Embryo transfer – you don’t need to take the day off work for embryo transfer, however most patients do. That appointment is similar to a smear test; you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable afterwards and can drive straight away. The appointment usually lasts around 30 minutes
I have started my period and want to book treatment.
Phone Monday-Friday 8-4 pm and speak to the admin team to book a cycle of treatment. You may need to leave a voicemail with your name, date of birth and phone number and they will return your call.
NHS patients 0141 201 3478
GRFC patients 0141956 0509 option 4
Please note, all treatment bookings should go through the admin teams, nurses cannot take booking requests.
Do I need proof of my MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccinations before starting treatment?
We require all patients starting a cycle of treatment to have 2x MMR vaccinations. If you have already provided us with paperwork to confirm this, you do not need to do so in subsequent cycles.
If you need to check if you have had 2x MMR vaccines please check with your GP in the first instance.
During Treatment
Should I contact you if I have a period after my Prostap injection?
No, this is normal and should be expected. Make a note of the date your period starts.
Should I contact you if I do not have a period after my Prostap injection?
No, attend your next appointment as arranged and you will have an ultrasound scan and blood test to check your hormone levels. You may need further medication prescribed.
What side effects should I expect during treatment?
Common symptoms include: Tiredness, Nausea (feeling sick), Vomiting (being sick), Diarrhoea, Weight gain and Pain or swelling of the stomach. You may also notice redness, bruising, swelling and/or itching at the injection site.
In cases of severe OHSS you may have: Fluid build-up in the stomach, pelvis and/or chest, Difficulty in breathing, Decreased urination (producing less urine when you go to the toilet or going to the toilet less often), Formation of blood clots in blood vessels (thromboembolism) or Twisting of ovaries (ovarian torsion). If you notice any of the above signs, contact the clinic immediately.
I have dropped/smashed/wasted some of my medication, what should I do?
If you have enough medication to last until the next appointment, keep taking it as instructed and we will give you more at the next appointment.
If you do not have enough, please contact the nurses before 5 pm.
If it is after 6pm and you need to take the medication that night please phone Ward 56 GRI (0141 211 4433) and ask if they have a supply of the medication. Please have the name & dose of the drug prescribed. Please note, the ward do not store every medication and this option should only be used in an emergency.
If I miss a dose of medication, what do I do?
Take a dose as soon as you remember, then continue as instructed.
Can I continue to have intercourse?
We advise you not to have unprotected intercourse during treatment to avoid the risk of a natural pregnancy, either while taking medication, after egg collection or after embryo transfer.
Male partners should leave 2 days since their last ejaculation when providing a sample of sperm for treatment.
After embryo transfer, it is recommended that you avoid intercourse for 3 days.
Can I fly?
Yes, there is no evidence that flying affects any aspect of your treatment.
While having treatment you should be available to attend appointments as needed.
Travel may have impact on treatment as certain areas are at risk of infection, such as zika and ebola disease. This may mean a delay to treatment as there can be serious consequences to pregnancy.
If travelling abroad, please refer to the Welcome to JPAC website for information on which countries are affected by zika and ebola disease.
Can I have dental treatment?
You should inform your dentist you are having fertility treatment and they will advise you accordingly
Can I colour my hair?
Yes, there is no evidence that colouring your hair affects any aspect of your treatment.
After Treatment
Is bed rest recommended following embryo transfer?
No, there is no evidence to suggest that bed rest following embryo transfer improves pregnancy rates. There is some evidence to show bed rest can reduce pregnancy rates.
Can I fly?
Yes, there is no evidence that flying affects pregnancy rates following embryo transfer.
Can I have dental treatment?
You should inform your dentist you may be pregnant and they will advise accordingly.
Can I colour my hair?
Yes, there is no evidence colouring your hair affects pregnancy rates following embryo transfer.
If I bleed before my pregnancy test should I contact the department?
No, continue with the medication you have been prescribed and perform your pregnancy test on the recommended date. If you have a positive test and are bleeding, then contact the department as we may wish to assess you further.
If I experience any symptoms of Ovarian Hyperstimulation syndrome should I seek medical assistance?
Yes, if you have any symptoms of OHSS you should contact the department and we will provide you with advice or arrange for you to attend the department for assessment by one of our doctors.
If I have had a positive pregnancy test do I continue on my medication?
If you had a fresh embryo transfer you do not need to continue on any medication, unless prescribed by a consultant.
If you have had a frozen embryo transfer you should refer to your protocol for advise on which medication should be continued. To arrange a further supply:
NHS patients – contact the nurses
GRFC patients – contact the admin team 0141 956 0509 option 4
If you were having IUI and were on buserelin injections you should stop.
I have had a positive pregnancy test but have had some bleeding/spotting/discharge, what should I do?
If the bleeding is not heavy, please contact the nurses and a nurse will contact you on or before the next working day. However, if the bleeding becomes heavier or you start to feel unwell, attend your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.
Laboratory FAQs
Semen Analysis
What will a semen analysis test tell me about the quality of my sperm?
A semen analysis is carried out to estimate the number of sperm, their movement (motility) and shape (morphology) in a sample.
When will I get the results from my semen analysis?
A doctor or nurse will explain the results at your next clinic appointment. Unfortunately, we cannot give you these results over the telephone.
Where do I produce my semen sample?
We have dedicated rooms on-site for sample production. We recommend semen samples to be produced on-site, however if you are unable to use our rooms you may produce at home as long as you can get the sample to the ACS within 60 minutes. You must use a sample pot provided by the ACS.
Sperm Freeze
I won’t be available on the day of my partner’s IUI /egg collection. How can I provide a sperm sample for treatment?
If your occupation (i.e. Armed forces, offshore working) means you will not be available to provide a fresh sample of sperm for treatment, you may be able to freeze sperm for back-up. You would need to attend an appointment for blood tests and consents to be taken, and then make a second appointment before the treatment day to ensure we can freeze a sperm sample to use on the day of treatment.
If you are available on the day of egg collection or IUI, a fresh sample is always preferred.
Sperm Preparation
What does “sperm washing” mean?
Before the sperm is used for treatment, the sample is washed to separate the sperm from the ejaculate. The washing procedure can also help to isolate the sperm with more movement.
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
What can I expect from an IUI procedure?
The procedure is very similar to a smear test. A speculum is inserted into the vagina in order to pass a catheter through the cervix. Attached to the catheter is a syringe containing prepared (‘washed’) sperm. When the catheter is in the correct position, the operator will depress the syringe and the sperm will be deposited into the uterus. The catheter is very fine and is normally not felt by the patient.
Embryology Laboratory Timeline for IVF and ICSI
Below is a general overview of the laboratory work and what can be expected at each stage of the journey
Oocyte retrieval
What preparation do I need for egg collection?
The nurse will give you a list of instructions to prepare for egg collection once the date of the procedure is known. They will give you an exact date and time to administer the booster injection.
You should fast from midnight before the egg collection, which means no food or fluids, including water.
On the day of egg collection, you should shower in the morning but not use any scented or perfumed products. If your partner is attending to provide a sample of sperm, they should do the same.
Bring any leftover medication and sharps boxes for disposal.
The anaesthetist requests that at least one fingernail be free from gel, acrylics or nail varnish.
Will I find out how many eggs were collected on the day of treatment?
Yes, the doctor performing your egg collection will meet with you after the procedure to discuss the number of eggs that were collected.
Can my partner stay with me during egg collection and recovery?
Partners are not permitted in theatre during the egg collection.
Due to the limited space in recovery, partners cannot stay with you during recovery.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
What is IVF?
IVF involves the collection of eggs directly from the ovaries using a needle. Washed sperm are added to a dish containing the eggs and the sperm are left to swim to the eggs on their own. The ‘best’ sperm that reaches the egg first should hopefully enter the egg and fertilise it.
The sperm and eggs are left in the dish together overnight and the eggs checked for fertilisation the following morning.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
What is ICSI?
ICSI involves the collection of eggs directly from the ovaries using a needle, then the injection of a single sperm into each mature egg to create embryos. ICSI is often recommended to patients if the sperm quality is not high enough to fertilise your eggs using IVF. ICSI can also be recommended to patients with previously low or complete failure of fertilisation in previous treatment.
I have a normal sperm count, why is ICSI still recommended for our treatment?
For some patients, ICSI is recommended even if sperm parameters are normal. The doctor or nurse will provide you with more information during a clinic appointment. Even when the planned treatment is IVF, this may change on the day of egg retrieval depending on sperm quality and number of eggs collected.
If you wish you can discuss this with your clinician and our embryology team.
Why aren’t all of my eggs suitable for IVF/ ICSI?
Only mature eggs have the capacity to fertilise, so before an ICSI procedure, your eggs will be assessed for maturity. Only the mature eggs will be used for ICSI.
Fertilisation Check
How many of my eggs should I expect to fertilise?
Our average fertilisation rate with ICSI is around 70%.
Some people may have a higher fertilisation rate and some people may have a lower rate.
When will I find out how many of my eggs have fertilised?
The embryologist will carry out a fertilisation check on your eggs the morning after your egg collection. You will receive a call on the same morning and the embryologist will inform you of your fertilisation results. You should expect the call to be before 12 noon.
Embryo Grading
What is a blastocyst?
A blastocyst is an embryo that has usually formed by day 5 or 6 after fertilisation and has two distinct cell types. The inner cell mass will develop into a baby, and the trophectoderm cells develop into the placenta.
How will you assess my embryos?
Embryo grading is carried out on day 3 and day 5 after your egg collection. On day 3 the embryologist will count the cell numbers and will take into account any fragmentation and unevenness of the cells. On day 5 blastocysts are graded by how expanded they are and the appearance of two cell types, the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm.
We are currently developing information leaflets to help us describe your embryo development in more detail. These should be available in the ACS waiting room and the consultation rooms in the very near future.
Embryo Transfer
What should I expect during an embryo transfer procedure?
The embryo transfer is very similar to a smear test. A speculum is inserted into the vagina and an empty catheter is passed through the cervix. Once the empty catheter is in position, a catheter containing the embryo is passed through the empty catheter and the embryo is deposited from the catheter into the uterus. The catheter is very fine and is normally not felt by the patient.
An abdominal (tummy) scan is used for guidance during the embryo transfer procedure. To ensure the best possible view, we ask that you have a comfortably full bladder in preparation for embryo transfer.
What is the difference between a day 3 or day 5 transfer?
Transfer days are based upon assessment of your embryo/s in the laboratory, which occur on day 3 and day 5. If a group of embryos on day 3 has a similar appearance and embryo selection for transfer cannot be made, a day 5 transfer will be arranged for you. If the embryologists think a transfer on day 3 is better for you, they will arrange this.
Can I take a picture or video during embryo transfer?
As advised by NHS GG&C policy, we do not allow any photography or filming in any areas of the ACS to protect the privacy of patients, staff and visitors.
Embryo Freezing (vitrification)
I didn’t have any embryos frozen. What does this mean?
For an embryo to survive the freezing and thawing process, it must be at the correct stage of development and be of suitable quality. The highest grade of embryo will be selected for transfer and if any surplus embryo/s meet our criteria we will freeze (vitrify) and store those embryo/s for you.
Some embryos may not reach the correct stage of development, or they may not meet the quality criteria, which is why we are unable to freeze them.
The doctor or nurse will meet with you before transfer to discuss embryo quality and let you know if any embryos are suitable to be frozen.
When will I find out how many embryos I have frozen?
The embryologist will phone the day after embryo transfer to confirm if we have been able to freeze embryos for you.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (warm/thaw)
How many embryos are likely to survive the freezing and thawing procedures?
Currently, our average survival rate for day 5 embryos is more than 95%.
Embryo Biopsies
Why are biopsies performed?
Biopsies are carried out for patients having a certain type of treatment called Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT). Most patients will not have embryos biopsied.
When are embryos biopsied?
Biopsies are performed on day 5 or 6 of blastocyst embryo development. Embryos are then frozen here in ACS and the biopsied cells are transported to the appropriate genetic lab.
How will I get the results?
An embryologist will call you with the results of genetic testing and explain the next steps.
General
Is there a set timeframe for the clinic to reply when you leave a message?
The clinic staff carry out procedures or see patients in appointments throughout the day; however, we endeavour to reply to all queries until 6pm. Messages after 6pm will be responded to the following day.
Before emailing, please check to see if your question can be answered here first.
What number should I be calling to enquire about treatment/appointments?
GRFC patients should call 0141 956 0509 option 4 for treatment bookings and appointment enquiries
NHS patients:
- For treatment bookings, please call 0141 201 3478
- For appointment enquiries, please call reception on 0141 211 8535
What is the current wait times from referral to starting first cycle?
Current waiting times are approximately 10 to 11 months.
How long after finishing a treatment cycle will I wait till I start a new fresh cycle or FET transfer?
If you have had a negative outcome or freeze all and are eligible for further treatment, you can phone with your first normal period to book your next cycle. If you do not have regular periods, you can call 4 weeks after your withdrawal bleed.
Whilst we try to accommodate all bookings, there are times when the numbers of attempted bookings exceed our capacity. In such cases, we advise patient to call with their next period.
When I phone to book a frozen embryo cycle or IUI, how long should I wait to hear if I have a slot?
Although we try to allocate slots daily, it can take up to a week before we can contact you to advise if you have a treatment slot, or not.
If it takes 7 days for a reply, does it mean I need to wait for my next cycle?
Not always. You may have a slot booked and will still have time to attend the necessary appointments.
Can I still do vaginal swabs when having my period?
Yes, please do the swabs as requested before your appointment.
Can I have a scan while on my period?
Yes, sometimes it is necessary to perform a scan at the start of a period, so please don’t worry about attending for a scan at this time.
I need to book a scan on a specific day of my cycle, how do I do this?
Contact the ACS nurses. Contact details can be found on your treatment card.
I’m having IUI or natural FET treatment and have detected a surge.
Call reception on 0141 211 8535 and they will book a blood test for you that morning.
I need more medication.
NHS patients – contact the nurses
GRFC patients – contact admin on 0141 956 0509 option 4
What is the best home ovulation test or pregnancy test to use?
We are unable to recommend specific tests but individual product information will be able to advise on sensitivities.
My case was being reviewed but I haven’t been notified of the outcome.
My case was being reviewed but I haven’t been notified of the outcome.
Every week all treatment cycles which have recently been completed are reviewed by the medics and embryologists. You will receive a letter summarising the outcome of the review meeting and your next steps.
Do I need to come to the clinic for my medication or can it be collected at my local pharmacy?
Most medication dispensed in ACS is very specialised and will not be available in every pharmacy. However, some common medications such as antibiotics may be available to be prescribed locally.